Old Monterey District Blog

Alvarado Street Brewery proudly introduces Froth Water, a sparkling water with Citra and Mosaic hops. It's zero alcohol, zero calories, and zero hangover, with unbelievable amounts of flavor. Available now at our flagship location, 426 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey.

Are you taking a break from booze? There's no reason to miss the party with Compact Disco's stunning new mocktail menu! Visit us at 420 Tyler Street in Monterey, where we're open Sun-Thu, 5pm-closing, and Fri & Sat, 5pm-2am.

Featured drinks include the Lychee Mojito (fresh lychee juice, locally-sourced mint, organic lime, and a touch of organic agave nectar) and the Pink Lady (organic pink grapefruit juice, lime juice, club soda, and a touch of maple syrup).

Paris Bakery is now offering freshly-made panettone! A sweet Italian yeast bread with raisins and dried fruit, panettone is traditionally enjoyed during the winter holiday season. You'll often find it being sold in packages on the shelves of specialty markets, made in far-off places, but at Paris Bakery, we make it in-house. Visit us at 271 Bonifacio Place in Downtown Old Monterey.

After 18 wonderful years of serving our community, it is with mixed emotions that we announce the closure of Cha-ya Japanese Tea & Things. Starting December 6, all items (excluding tea and food) will be 30% off. Please come say goodbye in person at 118 Webster Street in Monterey and get your favorite Cha-ya items before they are gone!

Our journey with Cha-ya began in Pacific Grove and continued in Downtown Old Monterey, and we are immensely grateful for the support and patronage you've shown us throughout the years. We want to express our deepest appreciation for you being a part of the Cha-ya family.

Your loyalty has been the heartbeat of our business, and we are truly thankful for the memories and relationships we've built together. As we embark on this new chapter, owner Mitsuko Gammon, who started Cha-ya 18 years ago, is excited about dedicating more time to family, including cherished moments with kids and grandkids. While bidding farewell to Cha-ya is bittersweet, we look forward to the future with optimism and gratitude.

To celebrate our years together, we invite you to join us for several special sales over the next couple of months. It's a chance to reminisce, grab some fantastic deals, and say goodbye in person. Your presence would mean the world to us!

Thank you for being an essential part of Cha-ya's story. We look forward to seeing you at the upcoming sales and sharing our gratitude in person.

With heartfelt appreciation,
Mitsuko & Kay

Spa on the Plaza, located at 201 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey, is offering winter specials. To make an appointment, please phone us at 831-647-9000.

Winter Specials

Glisten and Glow Facial
$160 for 60 minutes
This facial includes a gentle, lightning lift forte peel targeted to give your skin a bright and youthful glow. Followed by a hydrating antioxidant-rich sheet mask and finishing with a neck, shoulder, and hand massage for added body relaxation.

Cranberry Bliss Massage
$195 for 80 minutes
Envelop yourself in our warming cranberry and orange spice massage that will stimulate tension relief and help fatigued muscles. Finishing with a relaxing foot scrub.

Parker-Lusseau Pastries and Cafe, located at 539 Hartnell Street in Downtown Old Monterey, has fresh stollen on our shelves from now until Christmas. This holiday favorite is so popular you should probably place your order in advance just to make sure it's there when you want it, 831-641-9188.

What is stollen? A traditional German fruit bread with candied orange rind, raisins, and sliced almonds macerated in rum...plus it features the amazing flavors of cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, and a hint of tellicherry pepper.

Slice it, toast it, smother it with butter, eat it...Repeat! Bonus feature: it makes your house smell like Christmas.

Alta Bakery and Cafe is happy to announce our December drink of the month, a gingerbread latte. Come and try it - we're located at 502 Munras Avenue in Downtown Old Monterey.

Monterey History and Art at Stanton Center is offering a December Special - get a free Salvador Dali mystery print with select purchases while supplies last!

Buy one ticket or $20+ in merchandise and receive one free small Dali print. Buy two tickets or $30+ in merchandise and receive a free medium-sized Dali print. Buy three or more tickets or $40+ in merchandise and receive a free large Dali print.

Visit us at 5 Custom House Plaza in Downtown Old Monterey. We're open six days a week, 10am-5pm. Closed Fridays.

Venture Gallery presents a group exhibit of local artists, A Few of My Favorite Things. The show will feature smaller, favorite works that have special meaning for the artists who made them.

As artists, the urge, the desire - the need to create - moves that creative energy through us. This show of our favorite things will perhaps be your inspiration for gift-giving! Bring joy to a loved one and support local artists by purchasing paintings, jewelry, wood, and glass creations.

Venture Gallery is open daily, 10am-6pm daily. Closed on Christmas Day. We are located at 260 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey.

Kayuragi Incense is back at Luminata Books and Gifts. Indulge in the light, dreamy fragrances of new scents including Wisteria, Mikan Orange, Osmanthus, and Pomegranate.

Nippon Kodo incense from Japan is renowned for its high quality, using closely guarded techniques and scents dating back to the 16th century. Current perfumers interpret the traditions of Takai Juemon, an incense artist who supplied the Emperor of Japan in the Tensho Era.

Luminata Books and Gifts is located at 631 Cass Street in Downtown Old Monterey. Designated parking spaces are available in the lot outside our shop.

Have a book lover in your life? Consider giving them a holiday book bundle from Old Capitol Books! Tell us what kind of books they like and our in-house experts will curate a book care package they'll love. Book care packages are now available for $15, $25, and $100. Visit our website to shop online!

$15 Holiday Book Bundle
Includes one book personally selected by our experienced booksellers based on your preferences plus a special, unique gift.

$25 Holiday Book Bundle
Includes two books personally selected by our experienced booksellers based on your preferences plus two special, unique gifts.

$100 Holiday Book Bundle
A big ol' box of books personally selected by our experienced booksellers based on your preferences along with some special little gifts.

Old Capitol Books is located at 482 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey and open Saturday and Sunday, 12pm-6pm.

Rosine's Cuisine, the Culcasi Family's newly redesigned cookbook featuring a treasure trove of recipes from Monterey's legendary family restaurant, is now available at 434 Alvarado Street in Downtown Old Monterey. Updated tried-and-true favorites, new chapters, new breakfast and brunch recipes, new soups, main dishes, and even more dessert recipes! Treat yourself and purchase one for that special holiday gift.